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Charles and Allison's plan to break the news about Nina to their children halted at Hugo's remarks.

"Oh, Atlas, I put my bet on you."

"Huh?" question marks filled the couple's thought bubble as they gazed at Hugo. "Hugo, what do you mean, a bet?"

Hugo smiled as he happily explained. "There's a betting pool in the school now. All students are putting their bets on whether Atlas will make it to the star section this semester or not."

"What?" Allison and Charles gasped in unison as they instinctively gazed at Atlas.

"Atlas, is this true?" Charles blurted out.

Atlas glanced at them and nodded before he ate a spoonful. While the couple processed this, Hugo continued in the same

enthusiastic tone.

"Slater's in the bet too!" he exclaimed, making Slater freeze. "He declared that he wouldn't be at the bottom of his class anymore. I bet on him, and the entire team also placed their bets on Atlas just to spite Max."

The couple was momentarily stunned. Atlas's goal was surprising, but Slater too? Above all, they were most surprised that Hugo was putting on bets.

Penny also looked at Hugo incredulously. She heard about Max, who jumped from the 7th place in the star section to the 5th rank.

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She didn't know Hugo knew him that much.

Also, what did he mean, the team bet on Atlas just to spite someone? How did he make that sound less... vicious?"

"Hugo, how come there's a betting pool in your school? Isn't that another form of gambling? The school allows this?" Allison asked, worried their son would get caught by participating in such things. "That's right, Second Brother. How can you join the betting pool?' was what Penny wanted to say, but then, she wasn't in the right place because she was the only one who anonymously started the betting pool.

"Don't worry," Hugo reassured. "The betting system found

loopholes in the school policy and is legal. So even if the teachers already got wind of it, they can't do anything. Moreover, they can't put all students in disciplinary action. It's a harmless betting and it will keep the students motivated."

The couple was still uncomfortable with it, but then Hugo spoke enthusiastically.

"Say, First Brother, do you think you can be a star student?"

Atlas ate his food elegantly before he said, "I have to."

"Atlas." Allison sighed before Charles followed. "Atlas, your mom and I are always proud of you. So, you don't have to say you have to

allowance on me, so I have

her food when she heard Atlas's

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fist while reaching for a glass of water. She was quiet when Hugo mentioned the betting because she

bet?

did what?" Charles

entire monthly allowance on me, so I have to enter the star section

"She'll starve if I

and Charles's mouths fell open while Hugo grinned

ear to ear.

have to kick those guys from their high

serious. Penny's allowance is on the

here."

pounded the bottom of his fist against the table, making Penny jolt from her

angry

them! Tear the entire star section apart! Our Penny's money's on

approvingly while Atlas confidently

also place our entire fortune on you!" Charles continued, taking this betting to the

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a while since the last parents-teacher meeting. It's

this up without implicating

all. "As long

me..."

a conflicted look as this conversation was

hinted, giving his father

huh?" the corner of his lips curled

a little. Her father and her two brothers looked a little devious. 'Oh, gracious god. Please don't let them cross

ended up sighing heavily. It was a rare occasion for their eldest and second son to willingly engage in this

simply accepted it was part of the adolescent stage. But here they were, enthusiastically talking about

falling on Penny. She offered Penny a subtle smile and a slight

that Allison thought about it, since

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before, but she often felt that

felt nice to be having a normal dinner where everyone

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